Thörle Trocken Riesling, Rheinhessen

Thörle is a leading producer in Germany’s Rheinhessen. This wine is made from vineyards around Saulheim in the north-east of the region. Mainz is the nearest city. Vineyard soils are combinations of limestone, marl and clay. Grapes are picked by hand, crushed and then left for 12 hours on skins to extract maximum flavour compounds. Fermentation occurs naturally, 85% in stainless steel tanks (1000-3000 litres) and 15% in old German oak barrels (600 to 1200 litres).

Following fermentation the wine is bottled after four months maturation on fine lees. Colour is pale but gleaming yellow with green tints and the nose is typically intense with notes of peach and apricot. Good length in the mouth with various citrussy and intense, almost salty mineral notes. The wine is noted for its structure and finesse. Thörle Riesling is best consumed as a young wine, up to seven years after vintage.